‘Supernatural’ Panel at Comic-Con Brings Emotion

While Comic-Con is often known for its stunts and announcements, there are also feel-good moments that are inspiring for all those in attendance. This was the case at the Supernatural panel. While there was the usual teasers, question and answers session and other interactive features of a panel, there was so much more. The Comic-Con panel for Supernatural was bringing the emotion for 2015.

It has been a very emotional year for the Supernatural team both on the screen and off the set. Jared Padalecki, who plays Sam Winchester, not only spoke openly about his personal battle with depression, but he also started his Always Keep Fighting (AKF) Campaign to help raise money and awareness for mental health. In a second round of the AKF campaign, Padalecki’s costars also got involved. Both Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins, who has his own charity organization, got involved and lent their support to the fundraiser.

The Supernatural panel at Comic-Con 2015 featured Jeremy Carver (producer), Andrew Dabb (writer), Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins, Mark A. Sheppard and Jensen Ackles. The panel was moderated by former costars Rob Benedict and Richard Speight Jr., which also brought its own brand of hilarity as the actors all interacted with each other, made jokes and diverted from topics on a continuous basis.

There was discussion about the new season and how the brothers will deal with the newest evil unleashed, “the darkness.” Plus, the topics ranged from the direction the show was headed and how it has evolved over the past 10 years to how the brothers will work towards combatting this latest threat. The hilarity also ensued when the moderators brought out a stuffed hamster to “talk” to Sheppard. A major aspect of the panel was how the cast has experienced so much over the course of 10 seasons. It was acknowledged that the fans have grown up right alongside the boys. Sheppard even said that there is something special about going to a set where people embrace one another and everyone is like family.

Much of the Supernatural panel at Comic-Con was filled with the actors and fans bringing the emotions, as everyone acknowledged the family aspect of the show and all of experiences over the past 10 years. However, the real emotional punch came when the fans all took part in a candle lighting ceremony in honor of Padalecki’s Always Keep Fighting. After the first question from the audience, the panel was taken back as the majority of the room held up lit candles and yelled out Always Keep Fighting.

The entire panel reacted emotionally to the outpouring from the audience, with both Sheppard and Padalecki actually standing and applauding the fans. One can even see the shock and emotion on the face of Padalecki as he takes in all of the support for his cause and his campaign. While the panel continued answering questions after the emotional moment with the audience, afterwards Padalecki spoke to E! News about his reaction to the moment.

Bringing emotion to the Supernatural panel at Comic-Con was something that humbled the actors and left Padalecki near tears. All of the actors admitted that the fans and the fandom have become family and thanked everyone for being a part of it all.

By Kimberley Spinney

Sources:

YouTube Video of the Supernatural Panel at Comic-Con
E! News – Jared Padalecki Responds to Incredible Fan Surprise Supporting His Battle With Depression: “It Took Everything Not to Cry”
Facebook Posts from Supernatural and Cast

Featured Photo Courtesy of Liane Hentscher and The CW
Second Photo Courtesy of Diyah Pera and The CW